Sweat Stains, Pink Hobo, Urban Arts, Hannah

Drinking at Hotel Monteleone, French Quarter. Photo by Bunny Sparber.

SUSAN MARKS IS RIDICULOUSLY FUN TO drink cocktails with. The author of In The Mood For Munsingwear, Minnesota's Claim to Underwear Fame, was nice enough to get together with Bunny and I at the Bradstreet Crafthouse. It's the only place to get a well-made Sazerac. When Bunny and I drink Sazeracs, we get a little bit teary at the thought of our old place in the French Quarter, so I'd like to take a moment to both apologize to Susan, but also thank her for patiently waiting for me and Bunny to stop crying into each other's shoulders. Really, we're sorry for the awkwardness of that situation, Susan. If there is some way we could make it up to you? Maybe we could go out for drinks? I know a great place that makes a wonderful New Orleans drink called the Sazerac. OH GOD.

To distract us from our maudlin tendencies, Bunny and I switched to The McQueen and were thrilled that Susan was up for trying it as well. I'm pretty sure that drink is partly (or wholly) responsible for the three of us losing track of time. But when the conversation is that fun and interesting, why keep an eye on the clock?

SO IF YOU DIG THE BAR BAND SCENE, the current exhibition at the Stevens Square Center for the Arts gallery will definitely make you want to crack open a cold one and listen to loud music. "Sweat Stains Beer and Cigarettes" is the name of the show, and that pretty much spells it all out. See it. The exhibition shows moments of chaos, in-your-face action shots of performers, and condom machines that have been turned into dispensers of ultra-mini comics (bring quarters). Their closing-night party on April 16 sounds like it's going to be fun, too.


Bunny and I also stopped in to PINK HOBO'S OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION for their newest show, "The Itch That Burns." As I wrote in The Dressing Room last week, "'The Itch That Burns could be the name of a teenage cautionary tale or personal hygiene film from the '50s." But don't worry -- This particular exhibition at this self-proclaimed "geek" art gallery steers clear of VD and BO. It's a fun show where the titles of the pieces are just as fun as the paintings themselves. Be sure to look for Fat Lincoln.


URBAN ARTS THREW A PARTY this weekend, too, and damn it was a big'un. In honor of their first anniversary, this local organization (they advocate for visual, musical, and performance-based art forms) opened the doors to their giant warehouse space in the midway area of St. Paul to display over 300 works of art. Amidst all of the canvasses, there were dance performances, food, drinks, and dance music. Great party, guys!

STOPPED IN AT THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE where Swedish artist and cartoonist Jesper Löfvenborg has a wildly colorful exhibition on display. Even better? Sometimes Löfvenborg is smack in the middle of the display, standing on a little black-and-white checkered platform painting a brand new piece. The museum has two fun parties coming up this weekend, "Scandamonium" and "How Swede It Is" on April 15 and 16. They've designed a signature champagne cocktail and specialty dessert for both occasions. Read more about these events here.

SAW THE MOVIE HANNAH this weekend, too. Wow. This movie is ultra-cool. What more can I say? Oh yeah. See it.